We don't know all the details of the complaints against Google, but an inquiry into search, and specifically Google's position in the market, has huge implications for business.

Search is a vital utility for the functioning of all modern economies. All companies, big and small, need to know if they're getting a fair deal. But it's complicated and, once again, the question of how far a company's innovation and success should be allowed to take it in a market will be tested.

What we do know, however, is that Europe cannot afford another monster investigation such as the one involving Microsoft's bundling of the Internet Explorer service and its Word operating system which lasted more than 10 years.

Brussels must act with speed and clarity while all those companies involved must behave with openness. Google must learn from the mistakes of Microsoft in this area and avoid any hint of obfuscation. It must also stay true to its founding principle of "Don't be evil" and observe its seven-point code of conduct.

Brussels could test Google's patience and it may have to prove its famous ethos is intact, even when tested to destruction by bureaucrats, otherwise the commercial outlook for the Mountain View company could turn distinctly cloudy.